How to Make Flying Geese Four at a Time – Week 2 – Free Pinwheel Quilt Pattern

From the April 9, 2019 blog post, we cut our fabric and made 48 flying geese in 6 different colors using the No Waste, Four at a Time Flying Geese Method. If you missed that blog post and free tutorial, or if you just want to make this very simple little baby quilt, click here.

This week we piece our 12” blocks and sew our quilt top together. Easy peezy! Follow along and leave comments or images showing your progress. Also, post images on Instagram and Facebook using @jitterywings and #jitterywings.

Step 2: Match each flying geese (B) with one background rectangle (A). Line up the point edge of the flying geese with a long side of a background rectangle.

With right sides together (RST) place in sewing machine with the flying geese block on top so you can see the point. Sew ¼” away from the raw edges, but to the top of the point so that your flying geese keep their points. Do this for all 48 flying geese.

Step 3: With the seams still closed, press them to set the stitches with a hot iron. Lay the background rectangle back and press the seam flat for each new smaller 6 ½” blocks. There are 48 total – 8 in each fabric. Make piles by fabric.

Step 4: Using four matching smaller 6 ½” blocks lay out the full 12” block as shown in the image.

Step 5: Working in rows (there are two), sew the top two blocks together using a ¼” seam allowance with RST. Sew the bottom two blocks together in the same way, matching all seams evenly. Press with blocks still RST, then press the seams open.

Step 6: Lay the two rows back out as in shown in the image above to ensure they are facing the correct direction. Turn right sides together and begin by matching the center point where the corner of all four 6 ½” blocks come together. Pin the remainder of the seam on both edges and sew using a ¼” seam allowance. Press with blocks still RST, then press the seams open.

Step 7: Complete Steps 4-6 for all 12 blocks. When finished you should have two pinwheels in each of the 6 fabrics.

Step 8: Lay out the full quilt top as shown in the image here:

Step 9: Working in rows (there are four), sew the blocks together using a ¼” seam allowance with RST. Match all seams and pin as in Step 6. Press with blocks still RST, then press the seams open.